Which Freudian component is present from birth and contains instinctual drives?

• A. Ego
• B. Superego
• C. Id
• D. Conscious Mind

Answer: (C)

In Freudian theory, the part of the mind that is present from birth and holds instinctual drives is the id. The id is the primitive, unconscious reservoir of impulses, seeking immediate gratification for basic needs like hunger, comfort, and safety. It operates on the pleasure principle, demanding satisfaction without regard for reality or social rules. As a child grows, the ego develops to mediate between these urges and the real world, and the superego forms later as internalized norms and morals. The conscious mind is what we are aware of at any moment, but the id remains largely unconscious, driving instinctual needs from the start.